You are currently browsing the monthly archive for December 2008.
We All Crazy!–that’s the name of the book my husband wants to write on marriage.
The thing is, we each have our own little eccentricities. And we’ve got to find the person who could put up with our quirks.
Today marks the 20th anniversary of my husband and me sharing our craziness with each other.
Happy Anniversary, Sentimental Ole You. I love you, just the way you are…
He had more hair. I had less body.
I am not a poet. I don’t really want to take the time to learn the forms of the various styles of poetry–Haiku, Sonnets, limerick, iambic pentameter. I just rhyme words. I’m not that great at it, but each year I’ve given my Oakley relatives something that I’ve written. (My Theory on World Peace written in 2006 and Finding Riches in 2007).
So here is my poem for 2008:
“2008–A Year Ending”
By Anita O. Reaves
Cash strapped
mortgage woes
bailouts mapped
spending slows
maxed credit cards
stock market at its lows
big companies put asunder
makes you wonder
Will we survive the fallout
is anyone listening to our callout
The God of the universe is still in control
Don’t worry about the body
seek comfort for the soul.
Matthew 6:19-21
19“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
I love to give books as gifts because I love reading. A book is a great gift to give for Christmas. You can find books for people who don’t like to read by finding what their passion is–whether it is a big coffee table book with lots of pictures or a how-to guide to something they enjoy.
As I said in my previous post, I’ve been a little under the weather and haven’t felt well enough to spend time reading. But now, I’m back in the saddle, and I’ve read an unusual but great book–Embrace Me by Lisa Sampson. The author acknowledges its unusualness(is that a word?).
I wanted to read the book after listening to a session on how not to be preachy in writing Christian Fiction (I forgot the actual title of the session from the 2008 ACFW conference). And as the session leader says, Lisa Sampson does a great job at not being preachy. In fact, I’m amazed she could pull that off considering her main character is a preacher and well, preachers preach–that’s what they do.
When a preacher hears a woman sing in a Christmas program, he feels she could become an important part of the ministry in his mega-church. But she has some flaws in her physical appearance. The preacher helps pay for her many body altering procedures.
The preacher becomes disgusted with himself when he sees that his own ministry has become a circus act and finds himself confessing his sins to a Catholic priest(the preacher is non-denominational).
There is another story plot that parallels(two different time periods) the preacher’s story–the story of members of a freak show act–this really makes the story a bit on the odd side, but in the end the two stories come together in a way that I didn’t see coming, but should have. I guessed the identity of one of the characters in the parallel story, but I didn’t the other–you’ll have to read it for yourself to understand.
I don’t get emotional reading books, usually. Maybe a giggle hear or there, but generally not tears(Nicholas Sparks’ A Walk to Remember did elicit tears). I cried reading this book, but I can’t tell you why because it would reveal the plot surprises and I don’t want to do that.
If you haven’t purchased all your gifts this Christmas, consider buying Embrace Me, by Lisa Samson. A word of caution: this book is “real”.
P. S. I’m still not 100% well, so please forgive the cliches.
Under the weather
Back in the Saddle
under his wing
I’ve been sick since before Thanksgiving. First with a migraine, a few days later a stomach virus and then a bad cold that seems to not want to go away. I’ve been so miserable I haven’t felt like reading or writing.
I also haven’t been able to do much to prepare for Christmas. I just got my tree up on Wednesday.
Today, on my way in to work, I planned to stop at a grocery store to get candy or something to give my co-workers today as presents. How’s that for last minute shopping?
As I sat in traffic because of a car accident, I had a brilliant idea(all my ideas are–at least that’s what I tell myself).
So, I pulled into the Chick-Fil-A drive-thru and ordered a chicken biscuit, a large coke zero and 15 calendars.
It’s the gift that keeps on giving throughout the year–a coupon each month.
The gift was met with much enthusiasm…
or my co-workers didn’t want to hurt my feelings.
Anyway, have a wonderful Christmas. Stay tuned for my year ending poem.
Luke 2
8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ[a] the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”
Put A Ruffle On It 
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